The American public is as woefully ignorant on the difference between criminal and civil law as it is on personal finance. Even those of us who aren’t attorneys need to understand the basics of the legal system just as those of us who aren’t financial professionals need to understand the basics of home economics.

Crawford defeated Democratic challenger Scott Ellington in Tuesday's election, keeping an eastern Arkansas House seat in the Republican Party's control. Crawford was elected in 2010 and is the first Republican to represent the district since Reconstruction.

Republicans looked to win a historic majority in Arkansas' Legislature and sweep its four congressional seats in Tuesday's election, while Democrats hoped that the popularity of a two-term governor would prevail over the dislike of President Barack Obama as voters cast their ballots.

Candidates fanned across Arkansas on Monday making their final pitches to voters before an election that could hand Republicans a majority in the state Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.

Republican U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford said a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget is the only way to control the nation's debt, while Democratic challenger Scott Ellington said lawmakers need more self-control when it comes to spending as the